ESPN's Football Power Index ranks Tennessee's opponents, predicts win-loss records

ESPN’s Football Power Index projects win-loss records for all 136 FBS college football programs, including Tennessee’s projection of 9-3 — 8.7-3.4 is the exact prediction — with the Vols ranked No. 10 overall.

Here’s a look at the FPI’s projected win-loss record and overall ranking for Tennessee 11 FBS opponents this season:

Georgia: 10-2 | FPI Ranking: No. 2

September 13 | Kickoff Time: 3:30 p.m. ET | TV: ABC

Georgia is Tennessee’s SEC opener, after the Vols and Bulldogs played in November the last four years and in October in 2019 and 2020. Georgia has won eight straight in the series, dating back to the Josh Dobbs-Jauan Jennings Hail Mary to win at Georgia in 2016. This season’s 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Neyland Stadium against Georgia will be Tennessee’s annual ‘Checker Neyland’ game.

Alabama: 9-3 | FPI Ranking: No. 3

October 18 | Kickoff Time: Flex Window | TV: TBD

The Vols have won two of the last three against Alabama, beating the Crimson Tide 24-17 at Neyland Stadium last season and 52-49 in Knoxville in 2022. Tennessee led 20-7 at halftime at Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2023, but Alabama scored 27 unanswered points in the second half to roll to a 34-20 win.

Oklahoma: 7-5 | FPI Ranking No. 16

November 1 | Kickoff Time: Flex Window | TV: TBD

Tennessee welcomed Oklahoma to the SEC with a 25-15 win in Norman last season, the Sooners’ first year in the conference. It was the first win over Oklahoma for the Vols since 1939, after the Sooners won three straight (1968, 2014 and 2015). Baker Mayfield rallied Oklahoma for a 31-24 overtime win in Knoxville in September 2015, the Sooners’ only appearance at Neyland Stadium to date.

Florida: 6-6 | FPI Ranking No. 18

November 22 | Kickoff Time: Flex Window | TV: TBD

Tennessee will go to Gainesville in November for the first time in program history when the Vols face the Gators on November 22 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. The 2020 game was played in December 5 in Knoxville in the COVID-altered season and the 2001 game was moved to December 1 after the terrorist attacks on September 11 postponed the originally scheduled game.

Arkansas: 6-6 | FPI Ranking: No. 22

October 11 | Kickoff Time: Flex Window | TV: TBD

After upsetting Tennessee 19-14 in Fayetteville last season, Arkansas makes the return trip to Knoxville. The Razorbacks won 24-20 in their last appearance at Neyland Stadium, in October 2015.

Kentucky: 6-6 | FPI Ranking: No. 34

October 25 | Kickoff Time: Night Window | TV: TBD

Tennessee goes back to Kroger Field in Lexington on October 25 looking for a third straight road win over Kentucky during the Josh Heupel era. The Vols won 45-42 at Kentucky in November 2021 and 33-27 in October 2023.

Vanderbilt: 5-7 | No. 56

November 29 | Kickoff Time: Afternoon Window | TV: TBD

Tennessee ends the regular-season schedule on November 29 with Senior Day against Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium. The Vols were looking a seventh straight win in the annual in-state series, which dates back to 1892.

Syracuse: 5-7 | FPI Ranking: No. 62

August 30 | Kickoff Time: Noon ET | TV: ABC

The season opener on August 30 will be a Noon Eastern Time start in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It will be part of a tripleheader that also includes Alabama at Florida State at 3:30 p.m. ET and LSU at Clemson at 7:30 p.m. ET.

UAB: 5-7 | FPI Ranking No. 115

September 20 | Kickoff Time: 12:45 p.m. ET | TV: SEC Network

Tennessee is 5-0 against UAB in a series that dates back to November 1998. The Vols have won the five games with an average margin of victory of 17.8 points. The last meeting was a 30-7 Tennessee win in November 2019. 

New Mexico State: 5-7 | FPI Ranking No. 135

November 15 | Kickoff Time: 4:15 p.m. ET | TV: SEC Network

New Mexico State went 3-9 last season with wins over Southeast Missouri State, Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee State. The Aggies are ranked No. 122 in ESPN’s SP+. 

Mississippi State: 4-8 | No. 52

September 27 | Kickoff Time: Flex Window | TV: TBD

Tennessee beat Mississippi State 33-14 at Neyland Stadium last November, the first meeting between the two teams since 2019. The Vols have played in Starkville since a 41-31 loss in 2012 and haven’t won on the road at Davis Wade Stadium since 2007 (33-21).